Dancing On Ice professional skater Alex Demetriou has been axed from the show after growing too close to contestant Maura Higgins, according to reports.
The 28-year-old winter sports star found himself embroiled in headlines earlier this year as his marriage to 29-year-old Canadian ice skater, and fellow Dancing On Ice pro, Carlotta Edwards collapsed amid speculation over his relationship with Love Island star Maura.
Irish beauty Maura, 29, always professed she and Alex were nothing more than just friends, however tongues wagged as the pair were spied spending time on and off the ice together.
Now show bosses have given Alex the boot from Dancing On Ice ahead of the 13th season of the show which is expected to commence in early 2021 – coronavirus lockdown rules permitting.
A show source told The Sun on Sunday: “Producers have embarked on a cull and are desperate not to gain a reputation for a show curse like BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing.
“They want to keep the focus of the show on the ice and the marriage rumours surrounding Alex and Carlotta weren’t very on-brand for the family-friendly series.
“They want it to come back bigger and better than ever next year and could do without any bad tastes from the last drama.”
Carlotta has moved back to Canada following the sad collapse of her marriage to Alex.
While the skate star himself has previously discussed the troubles his marriage faced.
Back in May, he declared: “I think Carlotta found it hard to see me close, yet so professional, with Maura. It had an impact on her.
“I told Carlotta we needed a break but I knew it was for good. I didn’t want to lead her on any more.
“She was shocked at how serious it was. I’m not going to lie — it was my decision. Clearly she was very upset.”
Alex went on at the time to reiterate that he and Maura were just friends and said growing close to contestants on Dancing On Ice is part of the show – arguing they wouldn’t be able to complete dare devil ice skating stunts without a certain level of trust.
A spokesperson for Dancing On Ice told Mirror Online: "As we approach each new series we consult with all of our skaters to discuss best pairings and opportunities going forward and sometimes this means a break from the main cast.
"Alex Demetriou will not be in our main cast lineup for Dancing on Ice when it returns in 2021.
"This doesn't mean it's a final farewell and he remains a much loved member of the Dancing on Ice family with potential to return."
